Colonia del Sacramento, Historical colonial city in southwestern Uruguay.
Colonia del Sacramento is a city in southwestern Uruguay, located on a peninsula where the river meets the estuary. The old quarter sits behind remnants of walls, with low houses built from stone and plaster lining narrow lanes that open onto small squares.
Portuguese settlers founded the town in 1680 as a trading post facing Buenos Aires across the water. Control shifted between Portugal and Spain through wars and treaties until Uruguay gained independence in the 19th century.
The Municipal Museum contains artifacts from indigenous peoples, colonial settlers, and modern residents, demonstrating the evolution of local traditions over centuries.
Ferries cross from Buenos Aires in about an hour, arriving at a terminal within walking distance of the old quarter. The historic streets are easy to explore on foot, with most points reachable in a short walk from the waterfront.
The Calle de los Suspiros retains its original 17th-century paving and connects houses with Portuguese wooden balconies beside buildings in Spanish style with wrought-iron grilles. The Portón de Campo gate from 1745 still stands at the entrance to the old quarter, showing marks from cannon fire in its thick stone walls.
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